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By:

Bhalchandra Chorghade

11 August 2025 at 1:54:18 pm

Applause for Cricket, Silence for Badminton

Mumbai: When Lakshya Sen walked off the court after the final of the All England Badminton Championships, he carried with him the disappointment of another near miss. The Indian shuttler went down in straight games to Lin Chun-Yi, who created history by becoming the first player from Chinese Taipei to lift the prestigious title. But the story of Lakshya Sen’s defeat is not merely about badminton final. It is also about the contrasting way India celebrates its sporting heroes. Had the same...

Applause for Cricket, Silence for Badminton

Mumbai: When Lakshya Sen walked off the court after the final of the All England Badminton Championships, he carried with him the disappointment of another near miss. The Indian shuttler went down in straight games to Lin Chun-Yi, who created history by becoming the first player from Chinese Taipei to lift the prestigious title. But the story of Lakshya Sen’s defeat is not merely about badminton final. It is also about the contrasting way India celebrates its sporting heroes. Had the same narrative unfolded on a cricket field, the reaction would have been dramatically different. In cricket, even defeat often becomes a story of heroism. A hard-fought loss by the Indian team can dominate television debates, fill newspaper columns and trend across social media for days. A player who narrowly misses a milestone is still hailed for his fighting spirit. The nation rallies around its cricketers not only in victory but also in defeat. The narrative quickly shifts from the result to the effort -- the resilience shown, the fight put up, the promise of future triumph. This emotional investment is one of the reasons cricket enjoys unparalleled popularity in India. It has built a culture where players become household names and their performances, good or bad, become part of the national conversation. Badminton Fights Contrast that with what happens in sports like badminton. Reaching the final of the All England Championships is a monumental achievement. The tournament is widely considered badminton’s equivalent of Wimbledon in prestige and tradition. Only the very best players manage to reach its final stages, and doing it twice speaks volumes about Lakshya Sen’s ability and consistency. Yet the reaction in India remained largely subdued. There were congratulatory posts, some headlines acknowledging the effort and brief discussions among badminton enthusiasts. But the level of national engagement never quite matched the magnitude of the achievement. In a cricketing context, reaching such a stage would have triggered days of celebration and analysis. In badminton, it often becomes just another sports update. Long Wait India’s wait for an All England champion continues. The last Indian to win the title was Pullela Gopichand in 2001. Before him, Prakash Padukone had scripted history in 1980. These victories remain among the most significant milestones in Indian badminton. And yet, unlike cricketing triumphs that are frequently revisited and celebrated, such achievements rarely stay in the mainstream sporting conversation for long. Lakshya Sen’s journey to the final should ideally have been viewed as a continuation of that legacy, a reminder that India still possesses the talent to challenge the world’s best in badminton. Instead, it risks fading quickly from public memory. Visibility Gap The difference ultimately comes down to visibility and cultural investment. Cricket in India is not merely a sport; it is an ecosystem built over decades through media attention, sponsorship, and mass emotional attachment. Individual sports, on the other hand, often rely on momentary bursts of recognition, usually during Olympic years or when a medal is won. But consistent performers like Lakshya Sen rarely receive the sustained spotlight that their achievements deserve. This disparity can also influence the next generation. Young athletes are naturally drawn to sports where success brings recognition, financial stability and national fame. When one sport monopolises the spotlight, others struggle to build similar appeal. Beyond Result Lakshya Sen may have finished runner-up again, but his performance at the All England Championship is a reminder that India continues to produce world-class athletes in disciplines beyond cricket. The real issue is not that cricket receives immense attention -- it deserves the admiration it gets. The concern is that athletes from other sports often do not receive comparable appreciation for achievements that are equally significant in their own arenas. If India aspires to become a truly global sporting nation, its applause must grow broader. Sporting pride cannot remain confined to one field. Because somewhere on a badminton court, an athlete like Lakshya Sen is fighting just as hard for the country’s colours as any cricketer on a packed stadium pitch. The only difference is how loudly the nation chooses to cheer.

Post H-1B Fee: Maharashtra’s IT Potential in Tier 2 & 3 Cities

The H-1B fee surge presents a unique opportunity for Maharashtra’s emerging IT hubs if backed by government incentives.

The United States’ recent decision to impose a one-time fee of $100,000 on new H-1B visa petitions from 21 September 2025. This move marks more than a regulatory change—it signals a global reset in sourcing technology talent. For decades, Indian IT professionals have been the backbone of the U.S. tech industry, but with this steep cost increase, firms will now seek more affordable alternatives.


This shift is an opportunity India—and particularly Maharashtra—cannot afford to miss. While Tier 1 hubs remain strong, the real potential lies in Maharashtra’s Tier 2 and 3 cities.


New Opportunities for India

For U.S. firms—or companies serving American clients—the cost of hiring Indian engineers in the United States can be prohibitive, with visa expenses adding up to $100,000 per hire. Offshore delivery centres in India, offering a 70–80 per cent cost advantage, present a more viable alternative.


India’s established outsourcing ecosystem, large English-speaking talent pool, and global reputation for reliable service delivery give it a clear edge over other destinations. IT growth is no longer limited to Tier 1 hubs such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune; Tier 2 cities are increasingly able to support expansion, backed by improving infrastructure and a steady pipeline of skilled professionals.


Potential of Tier 2 Cities

Nagpur

  • MIHAN SEZ (Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport) hosts Infosys, TCS, and Tech Mahindra.

  • Centrally located, equidistant from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata—ideal for logistics and data centres.

  • 25+ engineering colleges produce over 15,000 graduates annually.


Nashik

  • Traditionally an agro-industry and manufacturing hub, now emerging as a startup and IT centre.

  • Office rents are 60% lower than in Pune/Mumbai, attracting GCCs (Global Capability Centres).

  • Growing number of startups in fintech, agritech, and AI.

  • 8,000–10,000 graduates emerge annually from local and nearby colleges.


Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

  • Strong manufacturing base (auto, pharma, textiles) now expanding into IT.

  • AURIC Smart City offers plug-and-play IT infrastructure.

  • Government incentives include land, power, and tax concessions for IT firms.


Kolhapur

  • Traditionally agricultural and industrial, now moving into IT services and startups.

  • Large NRI community from the Gulf and Europe—potential for reverse investment.

  • A pleasant environment adds to its appeal.


Solapur

  • Known for textiles, now designated as a future IT cluster under Maharashtra’s 2023 IT Policy.

  • Low-cost land and government-backed incubation centres support growth.


To fully seize this opportunity, the Maharashtra government would need to roll out single-window clearance policies to attract companies—a step well within reach in today’s policy climate. This should be complemented by large-scale investment in IT parks across Tier 2 and Tier 3 hubs, along with incentives such as stamp duty and power tariff concessions. Offering tax holidays of five to seven years for companies setting up in IT clusters could further boost investor interest. At the same time, robust skill-development programmes to train thousands of youth annually, coupled with significant funding and support for research and development, would help build a sustainable ecosystem for long-term growth.


Startup & Innovation Ecosystem

Nashik and Nagpur have recorded a 300 per cent surge in startup registrations over the past five years. Entrepreneurs' focus has been on sectors such as FinTech, AI, EdTech, AgriTech, and EV solutions.


Government-backed incubators in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Solapur are helping nurture this momentum by offering seed funding and mentoring support. By 2030, Maharashtra’s smaller cities could collectively be home to more than 2,000 startups.


Seizing the Opportunity

The H-1B fee hike has made offshore outsourcing the most cost-effective option for U.S. companies. While Tier 1 Indian cities will remain at the forefront, Maharashtra’s Tier 2 and 3 hubs present the real opportunity. To unlock this potential, the government must focus on:


  • Infrastructure – Reliable power, internet, IT parks, and co-working spaces.

  • Talent Development – University tie-ups for AI, cloud, and cybersecurity training.

  • Policy Execution – Faster rollout of IT policy incentives.

  • NRI Engagement – Structured channels for diaspora investments.

  • Branding – Position Nagpur, Nashik, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar as global IT destinations.


If executed well, Maharashtra could create 50,000–70,000 new IT jobs in smaller cities, driving significant economic gains and fostering more inclusive growth beyond Mumbai and Pune.

(The writer is a PHD in Human Resource Management based in Ahilya Nagar. Views personal.)

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